Instrument Assemblies

INVENT has extensive experience in assembling complex instrument structures composed of multiple structural components.

These include sandwich panels, optical benches, struts, and brackets made from CFRP, GFRP, or metal.

We offer the following services:

• In-house production or procurement of all structural components

• Structure assembly, alignment and inspection up to three metres in size

• Application of various joining techniques, including adhesive bonding, screwing and riveting

Key features

• Temperature range: -271 °C/+180 °C

• Dimensions: up to 4 m x 4 m x 2 m

• General tolerances: position ±  0.01 mm, flatness/parallelism 5 µm

• Standard testing: dimensions, NDI, mechanical, electrical

• Cleanliness: ISO 8 conditions

Functions:

• Thermal: thermal insulation joints, high thermal conductivity joints, heaters, temperature sensors

• Electrical: grounding network (grounding inserts, rails and studs), tie base application

• Mechanical: structural health monitoring, vibration sensors

• Thermo-optical: various types of white and black paint, second surface mirrors, optical solar reflectors (OSRs)

• Magnetic: magnetic clean, artificial magnetic fields 

Customization

• Custom materials or design solutions available for specific applications or mission needs

• Various detailed design solutions available to meet demanding intereface, mechanical, thermal, electrical & optical requirements

Flight heritage

Sentinel 1, Sentinel 4, MetOp-SG, EO Instruments, eROSITA, CHIME, SWARM, JUICE, MASCOT

Manufacturing

As a one-stop shop, all processes can be managed in-house, from design to manufacturing, assembly and testing, enabling us to handle both one-off projects and serial production.

Our in-house solutions include:

• CFRP Sandwich Panels

• CFRP Struts, customized metal IF Designs

• Alu, titanium, invar or CFRP Brackets

• CFRP Cleats

• Titanium or full monolithic CFRP Baffles

• SAR Antenna Components: straight or bend Waveguides, embedded Antenna Components

We offer following verification tests:

• Dimensional measurement

• Proof load

• Ultrasonic inspection

• Electrical conductivity